Robert m



(No Model.)

B. M. WASHBURN.

GAME.

No. 403,012. W Patented May '7, 1889..

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Nv PETER$ Phclmumcgnphor. Washingicn. D. C.

ROBERT M. VVASHBURN, OF BURLINGTON, IOWVA.

GAME,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 403,012, dated May 7, 1889.

Application filed December 31, 1888. Serial No. 296,028. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT M. WAsHBURN, a resident of Burlington, in thecounty of Des Moines and State of Iowa, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Games; andl do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the inven= tion, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates to an improvement in games; and it consists in abox divided by a horizontal plate into two compartments, each of whichhas a labyrinthine channel, the said channels of the compartmentscommunicating with each other, and the box having the inlet-openin gcommunicating with one channel and the outlet-opening communicating withthe other channel, as hereinafter described. and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top plan view of the uppercompartment of the box. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of thebox, showing the plan of the lower compartment. Fig. 3 is across-sectional view taken on the line x w of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is asimilar view taken on the line y y of Fig. 1.

A represents a rectangular box or case, which is divided by a centralplate, B, with an upper compartment, 0, and a lower. compartment, D. Inthe compartment C is a labyrinthine channel, E, formed by a series ofpartition-strips, F, arranged at various angles, as shown, the objectbeing to make the channel as long, crooked, and intricate as possible.This channel communicates with a triangular chamber, G, located in onecorner .of the compartment 0, and in said chamber and parallel with oneside thereof is a baffle plate or strip, H. An opening, I, whichcommunicates with both compartments 0 D, is made in the plateB at thevertex of the chamber G. .At the extreme end of the channel E is anexit-opening, K, made in one side of the box, a baffle plate or strip,L, being arranged at an angle across and beyond the inner side of saidopening. The plate B has also an opening, M, communicating with thechannel N of the lower compartments, and with an inlet-opening, O, inone side of the case. This opening M is inclosed on three sides by stripP, arranged at right angles to prevent communication between the opening0 and channel E. The channelN in the lower compartment, D, also forms alabyrinth, and

is formed by a series of strips, R, arranged at troduced into thechannel N through the open.

ings O and M. The operator grasps the box with one or both hands andtilts or inclines the box in various directions successively, the objectbeing to cause the ball to roll by gravity through the various arms ofthe channel N until it has traversed the entire length thereof andreaches the chamber S. The box is then inclined to cause the ball toroll to the ver tex of said chamber to a position under the opening I,and the box is then turned over to cause the ball to enter the channel Ethrough said opening I. The operator then tilts or inclines the box invarious directions successively to direct the ball through theintricacies of the channel E, and when the ballhas traversed the entirelength of said channel and comes opposite the opening K the box istilted to cause the ball to be discharged from the said opening.

The object of the game is to cause the ball to traverse the entirelengths of both channels without unnecessary deviations, the course ofthe ball when properly directed being indicated by dotted lines a inFigs. 1 and 2. In practice, however, and especially to novices, it willbe found quite difficult to so direct the ball, owing to thelabyrinthine character of the channels.

In the compartment 0 is a magazine, V, of

sufficient capacity to exactly hold two more extra balls and preventthem from rolling therein. The mouth of the magazine is covered by apivoted plate, WV, and the opening 0 has a similar pivoted plate, X.

A game thus constructed is extremely cheap and simple, and will be founda source of great amusement.

I am aware that heretofore boxes for games have been made with groovesor channels arranged in complex order, and I do not claim such, broadly;but

IVhat I do claim is- 1. In a game, abox or case consisting of twocompartments each having a labyrinthine channel communicating with theother by an aperture, and each channel beginning at said aperture andterminating at an exit from the box.

2. In a game, an opaque box divided in two compartments havinglabyrinthine channels dissimilarly arranged and communicating with eachother, and each channel provided with an exterior outlet.

In a game, the box or case having the upper and lower compartments eachprovided with a labyrinthine channel, said channels communicating witheach other and one comniunicating With an inlet-opening in the box orcase and the other communicating with an outlet-opening therein, and aball (one or more) adapted to traverse the said channels, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT M. 'WASHB'URN.

Witnesses:

HENRY L. DIXEN, SAMUEL MEYERS.

